For 17 years, Nancy Tracy was the go-to gal anytime there was a cause.
Co-owner of the Laura Belle's tavern on 19th Street until about a year ago, she and her husband, Phil, held numerous benefit
concerts - raising an estimated $40,000 in all - for people with needs ranging from organ transplants to coping with a house that
had burned down. She'd even get vendors to donate items, then auction them off between band sets.
“They were kind of like the mom and dad of the club scene,” recalled local musician Walter Chase. For such concerts, he said,
“Nancy would ask and we'd be there.”
Today, it's Nancy who's in need. Last April, out of nowhere, she collapsed with blood streaming from her nose and mouth. After
emergency treatment, it was determined that she'd suffered a brain aneurysm. More than once in the days that followed, doctors
told family members Nancy would die.
Her daughter, Kim Jacobs of Denver, said it was “a miracle” that her mother survived. “It's a phenomenal story that she's as well
as she is,” Jacobs said.
Insurance covered the 36 days in intensive care, but is not covering the costs of home care while the former tavern owner
revitalizes her short-term memory and re-learns how to do things like eat and walk.
Chase and other musicians will join a benefit concert in Nancy Tracy's behalf Sunday, Aug. 29 at Classic's nightclub, 5943
Delmonico Drive. The show will go from noon to midnight and feature a number of local bands.
Cost of admission will be a $20 donation.
“Putting on this benefit has been so easy,” Jacobs said. “People have been coming forward to donate their time and talents.”
“These guys (Nancy and Phil) have given so much,” Chase said. “Everybody I've asked to play at this benefit has just said,
'When and where?'”
Bands that have signed up to play are as follows:
Shakedown Street, B Positive, Bijou Street Blues Band, The Joanne Taylor Rhythm And Blues Review, Smokin' Joe and the
Mighty Burners, Mike Nelson and the Motel Kings, Wes The Power Trio, Magic Dave and the New Mules, Voodoo Hawks,
The Jukes, and Jake with Anne Kennedy.
For more information, call 684-9109 or 303-503-5861.